Trenton mayor's office a hot spot for new hires

TRENTON — As tensions grew between former Mayor Tony Mack and the city council, council members slashed the budget for the mayor’s office limiting Mack’s ability to pay staff to work in his office or for the city’s department of recreation.

But now that Mack is behind bars, having been convicted on federal corruption charges in February, and Mayor Eric Jackson has been elected to fill the post, the number of staff in the mayor’s office has increased.

Jackson has brought on two mayoral aides and an additional secretary since he took office on July 1, but plans to hire more aides and another secretary in the future.

Weary of the budget concerns, Jackson said he always checks with his acting business administrator, Terry McEwan, and the budget office before beginning the hiring process.

“Then I’m required to have DCA review it,” Jackson said. “We have a multilayered system to make sure I’m in compliance with salary, that the position is open and available.”

Jackson’s first hire to his office was mayoral secretary Debbie Smith, who will earn a salary of $50,000 a year. Smith worked as a secretary in City Hall under Mayor Doug Palmer’s administration, which is where she met Jackson, he said.

To act as public information officer, Jackson hired Michael Walker, who is technically listed as a mayoral aide making $55,375 a year, according to a list of the new hires obtained by The Times.

Jackson also brought on Andrew Bobbit, who officially started as a mayoral aide last week, to manage constituent relations.

“His job is to handle constituent complaints and constituent concerns,” said Jackson.

Bobbit worked extensively on Jackson’s election campaign and was often seen by his side. When he first took office, Jackson said Bobbit was working as a volunteer and helping his administration get settled. Jackson said the two have been friends for about 40 years.

Jackson said he hired Bobbit not because his personal or political relationship but because he knows about the community groups and activities that are going on in the city and is good at connecting with people.

“This is what he does,” Jackson said.

Darlene Herring, who was secretary to Mayor George Muschal when he held the office in the interim for four months, is now working in the office of Chief of Staff Francis Blanco. Jackson said he is looking to hire a second secretary to replace her in the mayor’s office.

He is also looking to hire one or two more aides, including one to manage IT and the city’s website.

Barry Colicelli was hired as a mayoral aide under Muschal at a salary of $72,800, according to a new hire list obtained by The Times. Jackson said he has kept Colicelli on as a consultant to manage the city’s YouthStat program, but said he believes he is working only about 20 hours per week and his salary is funded by a grant.